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Vale Billy Cook - Socceroo #176

Football Federation Australia (FFA) is saddened to learn that former Socceroo (#176), Billy Cook, passed away on Sunday evening (2 July 2017) after a period of illness.

Born in Galston Scotland in 1940, Billy Cook was a defender who played at Galston Amateurs and Winton Rovers juniors, from where he joined Kilmarnock aged 17.

After turning professional with Kilmarnock in 1959 he made ten appearances in Scotland's top tier before moving to Melbourne four years later.

He played at Slavia from 1963 until being forced to retire in 1969 with a back injury. He assisted Slavia to victory in the 1963 Australia Cup, defeating Melbourne Polonia in the replayed final 3-2.

In May 1965 he made his debut for Australia against Chelsea (D1-1), and later that year played in the second world cup qualifying leg against DPR Korea, where Australia lost 3-1 following a 6-1 defeat in the first leg.

He made five more national team appearances on the way back to Australia, against Hong Kong, IAK Stockholm and Taiwan in Hong Kong, and two games against Malaysia in Ipoh. In 1967 he played for Australia two more times, against the touring Scotland national side.

He also played for the Victorian state team on several occasions, including against Everton (in 1963), Torpedo Moscow (1965) and Manchester United (1967).

Billy is survived by his children Bill Cook Jr and June Bradley, and grand-children William, Danielle, Shona and Dale.

A memorial ceremony will be held at 11:45am on Friday 7 July at the Mawson Chapel at the Centennial Park Cemetery (760 Goodwood Road, Pasadena, SA, 5042) and all family and friends are welcome to attend or send flowers.